11BRAVO
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2009
- Messages
- 109
I have been reading a few posts lately by individuals who plan to attend West Point. I did not attend there but I was in the Infantry for 11 years and have several former commanders and friends who attended West Point. That being said, it appears some of the candidates are not quite familiar with attending college at a place like West Point. I recently spoke with a Colonel who said, "West Point is a great school but if you want to have fun I suggest attending ROTC at a regular college." This may be true for some people, depending on your personal definition of "fun." For most going to a place like West Point I would say they understand what they are getting into. CBT is most likely a watered down version of Infantry basic training. Maybe it's more intense, I don't know. I guess the only people who would know are cadets who were appointed after serving in the enlisted ranks. A few years ago I spoke with two "rats" at VMI. For those unfamiliar with VMI lingo, a "rat" in a first year cadet, same as a plebe. This one "rat" was a former enlisted US Marine, combat veteran of the Iraq War. I asked him what he thought of his "rat year" at VMI. He replied, "You know, I was in the marines. I went through boot camp at Paris Island and served in an Infantry unit in Iraq. I chose VMI and figured it would be easy considering my background. Boy was I wrong!" He exclaimed. "This is way harder than marine boot camp."
I believe West Point is probably even harder and for anyone who has any reservation about their ability or who may be questioning their desire to attend a place like West Point I would suggest giving it some serious thought. Combine college with physical training, additional duties and subject yourself to mental and physical anguish day after day after day rising before the sun and going to bed near midnight. If this sounds like your definition of "fun" then you will be fine, maybe even graduate with honors. Attending West Point is a great honor for anyone but not everyone is West Point material.
I believe West Point is probably even harder and for anyone who has any reservation about their ability or who may be questioning their desire to attend a place like West Point I would suggest giving it some serious thought. Combine college with physical training, additional duties and subject yourself to mental and physical anguish day after day after day rising before the sun and going to bed near midnight. If this sounds like your definition of "fun" then you will be fine, maybe even graduate with honors. Attending West Point is a great honor for anyone but not everyone is West Point material.